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Redwood
Glen Newsletters
Go back to archives here.
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The latest
news and events at Redwood Glen
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December
2007
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WELCOME
OUR VISION:
"To
Reflect Christ through Serving Others"
A WORD FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
One of the
phrases around here is
"the right tool for the right job at the right
time."
We
save so much time and get
so much more
accomplished when we have the right tools for the various tasks
that we have here at camp. It's one way to provide good
stewardship of
what God has given us here at Redwood Glen.
One
incredible tool we have is our small fleet of gas and electric carts.
Currently we have 2 gas Yamaha heavy duty carts ("Bill" and
"John") which are primarily used by our maintenance crew, and 1
electric 6-passenger Yamaha cart ("Gordy")
for Guest Services and housekeeping.
We
have
been blessed by the generosity of 3 donors who have supplied the funds
to
purchase these carts as a means to honor a loved one who meant a great
deal to
them.
John
and
Bill were given in memory of the fathers of one couple. Gordy was
given
in memory of one woman's late husband. We have their names placed
on the
front of the carts in a prominent and appropriate way. John,
Bill, and
Gordy provide the right tool for us each and every day. There are
only a
few hours each day when these carts are not providing transportation of
staff
and supplies around our 165 acres of property.
We
recently purchased a specialty Yamaha flatbed cart (for $7,523.38)
primarily to
transport food and supplies between the two kitchens and the BBQ
area. Having a cart that provides the needed cargo
area and ease of use is important as well as having an electric cart
that provides
a very quiet ride that does not disturb guests when our crew is working
between
6:00-8:00 am.
We have
been waiting for almost a year to move forward on this purchase.
God has
laid it on my heart that a Redwood Glen supporter would be interested
in honoring
someone in their life with providing funding for this new cart --
possibly a
parent, spouse, child, sibling, pastor, Sunday School teacher, or
special
friend.
Is God leading you to so honor
someone and provide the funding
for our new cart?
If so please contact me.
I
pray that someone will be able to partner
with us in this purchase and honor someone very special.
Jay E.
Nordgaard,
Executive
Director
(650)
879-0320 Ext. 12
exec@redwoodglen.com
Looking for a week at camp this
summer?
WE
HAVE OPENINGS
The camping needs of groups shift and change. For the summer of
2008, three weeks have now opened at Redwood Glen:
July 13-18
August 17-22
August 24-29
If your church or youth organization is interested in any of the
above dates, email us at info@redwoodglen.com
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Hello Friend of Redwood Glen
WELCOME
to the monthly
on-line newsletter of Redwood Glen, your local Bay Area Christian Camp
and Conference
Center. If
you would like to
subscribe and receive this monthly newsletter via email, please
register your
address via the link on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
The staff of Redwood
Glen wishes you and yours...
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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A Tree Story
With
Christmas days away, many families are heading to the hills (or to
Home Depot) for a fresh-cut tree. Christmas tree farms dot the
landscape in the Santa Cruz mountains, and until the late 1970's,
Redwood Glen was one of those destinations for church families.
On the plot of land where Siden Conference Center is located, a
Christmas Tree farm was planted by the Heimann family, who were its
previous owners. In 1963, Redwood Glen expanded the camp
boundaries by purchasing the adjacent property, and thus, inherited the
trees.
 "I remember
coming to Redwood Glen to choose a Christmas tree for the Brookside
Baptist Church when I was Pastor there," recalls former Redwood Glen
Camp Manager, Ray Miller.
"At the time the camp was not charging churches if someone from the
church would come and cut the tree."
This gift from the camp to churches continued through the 1970's.
Because trees were not being "farmed" but left to grow naturally, Ray
says, "They were almost too big to be used in the place we wanted them!"
The trees that were planted were the popular Douglas-fir.
Remnants of trees not used by churches for Christmas can be found in
rows to the right side and behind the Conference Center(pictured right), and around the
Siden campfire circle.
One reason Douglas-firs are known as "the traditional West Coast type
of Christmas tree" is that they are a part of the natural ecology
of redwood forests, which occupy a narrow strip of land from
west-central British Columbia to central California along the
Pacific. Tanoak and Madrone trees, along with a wide variety of
ferns, redwood sorrel, and mosses are also common in a redwood forest
and can be found at Redwood Glen.
 While redwoods
are the tallest trees in the world, Douglas-firs measure in as
#2. Though the two types of trees are often found together, they
are easily identified by their bark, their cones, and by their
needles. While the bark of a redwood is reddish-brown, the
bark of a Douglas-fir is greyish-brown. While redwood cones are
small (less than an inch), Douglas-fir cones are 2-4 inches.
While redwood needles are flat and shaped like a feather, Douglas fir
needles are round and arranged like a brush. (See above.)
An important food source for forest friends like squirrels and juncos,
Douglas-firs also have nurtritional value for people as they are rich in vitamin C.
According to San Joaquin Outdoor Education Principal, Gregory Bahr, 3 needles provide the
daily recommended allowance, and from Raw Family Newsletter, there is
100-350 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fresh Douglas-fir needles.
(They even feature a recipe for a Douglas-fir
Green Smoothie.)
 With over 160
acres of forest, Redwood Glen has been called to be a steward of the
land. While this includes education of natural eco-systems, it
also includes forest management. This fall, the camp conducted a
timber harvest to thin the forest, ensuring safety in the cabin areas,
and improving forest health. Occuring every 10 years, a timber
harvest also provides additional camp income. While it will take
a few years for some sections of Redwood Glen property, like Indian
Point, to return to a more natural state, other forested areas have
been opened up to more sunlight because of the clearing so that new
growth may begin.
If you or your group are available this spring for a workday at Indian
Point to restore trails and campsites at Indian Point, please email us
at info@redwoodglen.com.
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 50th
ANNIVERSARY -
TRIVIA QUESTION
As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of ministry at Redwood Glen in
2008, we are
beginning a monthly trivia contest. Answer correctly and you
could win a Redwood Glen 50th anniversary momento.
Our
November question:
Many years before Siden Conference Center
was built, the area was used as a farm. What type of farm was it?
The answer: A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM,
until the late 1970's. See the article above.
Congratulations
again to our triple winners
who will each receive a magnet with our
new 50th Anniversary logo when they are available.
Our November trivia winners:
- Linda
Enos of San Carlos First
Baptist .
- Gregory Bahr, Principal for San Joaquin County
Outdoor Education.
- Brydon
Mark of Vallejo First Baptist and 2007 Youth MAD Camp speaker.
Our December
question:
For whom is
Smith Dining Hall named?
Send guesses to news@redwoodglen.com.
The correct answer and winner will be featured in next month's
e-newsletter.
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 STAFF
SPOTLIGHT: Isaac Coleman
For Isaac
Coleman, camping runs in the family. His dad Marshall currently serves as
Redwood Glen's Associate Director, his mom Ginny serves as the camp
Bookkeeper, and his brother Josiah serves
as Kitchen Manager at Grotonwood Baptist Camp and Conference Center in
Massachusetts.
Because his dad served at
Grotonwood from the time Isaac was one year old until last year, Isaac
grew up at camp and in camping ministry. According to Marshall,
when Isaac was a toddler, he was never intimidated by staff, plowed
through crowds, and would, "take off! Like a dog, he needed to be
on a leash."
In high school, Isaac harnassed that energy and enthusiasm by joining
the kitchen staff at Grotonwood. He served for 3 years before he
and his family moved to Loma Mar a year and a half ago. At
Redwood Glen, Isaac first served part-time
in the kitchen. After graduating from high school as a home
schooler this summer, he began full-time in the camp maintenance
department.
"Serving the Lord by serving others" is one of the reasons Isaac
continues in camping ministry. While Isaac enjoys the opportunity
to get out of the kitchen and now work on the camp grounds, he admits
that it is challenging to "push my mind to absorb all that I learn in
the Maintenance department."
Of all the tools he is learning to use in his new position, he admits
that his multi-tool leatherman best reflects who he is and who he
desires to be. "The more you use it (a leatherman)," Isaac says,
"the more things later in life you realize you can use it for."
To develop his potential and sharpen his "fix-it" skills, Isaac plans
to continue his training in trade school, though he is uncertain in
which field. Along with tinkering with tools, he enjoys
wood carving, martial arts, hockey, and art. His favoriate
location at camp is the logging road behind Creekside cabin, where he
and his family live.
Though his Boston accent still slips out in conversation, Isaac has
found a new home and family in California and at Redwood Glen.
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Ready, set, NAME!
Carts are an indespensible
part of camp life for the staff of Redwood Glen. (See article to the left.)
Our new electric cart helps kitchen staff (Christina Donnelly and Maria Guzman) transport food between
our two kitchens and the barbecue area.
Would you be
interested in sponsoring this new vehicle and honoring someone with a
year-end gift to the camp?
For more information or answers to your questions about how to
financially support the ministry at Redwood Glen, contact Executive
Director, Jay Nordgaard at exec@redwoodglen.com.
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 Do you struggle with getting things
done? Kelly Forrister can help!
Kelly Forrister,
a certified trainer for the David Allen Group, will be presenting the
1-day seminar, "Getting Things Done,"
during the upcoming ABI Conference at Redwood Glen on January 17, 2008.
For friends of Redwood Glen, we are offering the opportunity to attend
this high-quality time-management workshop for only $99.00! The
cost includes: 2 sessions with Kelly and lunch.
The day begins at 9:00 am, and
concludes by 4:00 pm.
Click here to register online.
Check our website for more information on the 2008 gathering of ABI
(American Baptist Institute for Camp and Conference Ministries). Email
any questions to info@redwoodglen.com.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
ABI NATIONAL CONFERENCE -- Monday to Friday, January 14-18,
2008
Redwood Glen is the host site for the
2008 gathering of the American Baptist Institute of Camp and Conference
Ministries. Join other camping professionals for a week of
top-notch training, encouragement, and accountability.
For more information: Click here for a downloadable
brochure / Click here to register on-line.
PASTORS CONFERENCE -- Monday to Wednesday, February 25-27,
2008
Make plans now to attend our second
annual Pastors Conference as we consider our EQ (emotional
intelligence) as leaders. Church staff teams are encouraged to
come and learn together. Big discounts are available if you
register this fall.
Click here for a downloadable
brochure.
2008 SUMMER CAMPS -- Check our website for dates.
Registration begins early 2008.
OPEN HOUSE and 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS -- Saturday,
June 28th & July 12th
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| For more information about our events
or facilities, email us at info@redwoodglen.com |
Redwood
Glen REFLECTIONS
This
monthly e-newsletter is being developed as a communication tool for the
supporters, friends, and guests of Redwood
Glen in Loma Mar, CA. We welcome your comments and suggestions. To ensure that you continue to receive our
e-newsletter, add info@redwoodglen.com
to your address book today. Redwood
Glen is located in the scenic coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains,
between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.
We are conveniently located one hour from both San Francisco and San Jose
airports.
For more
information, www.redwoodglen.com.
 
Redwood
Glen, a Bay Area Christian Camp and Conference Center,
is an
accedited member of the American
Camp Association
and a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association.
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If you have
a Redwood Glen story or an idea for this email newsletter, contact...
Larry
Jay
(650) 879-0320 Ext. 11
news@redwoodglen.com
If you would
like to
subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, please register your email via
the link
on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
THANK YOU! (Our e-newsletter is supported by Constant
Contact.) |
Redwood Glen | 100
Wright Dr. | Loma Mar | CA | 94021
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